Nigkala Tales Pt. 26: A Magical Vacation
I found a lost city!
Thanks to my editor kenjisato. Also, to LanguageTool. Combined, they put me right. Any problems left all belong to me.
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When the museum exhibit of the Akkadian artifacts arrived, not only was I granted full access, but I was also asked to help set up the displays. I found it quite interesting, as an archaeological find, but it did not pique my interest when I studied it in detail. I was able to correct the identification of a few items, helping to improve the quality of the show. Adding in the likely use, I was able to help set up dioramas illustrating everyday life with the artifacts.
This work did remind me that I had some outstanding ideas I wanted to pursue. One was the African magic Aja used. I used my contacts at the museum to get some contact information of some well-respected language experts. I made some calls to ask about their ability to identify ancient African languages. Some were strictly written-language experts, but of those with the ability to speak them, I asked if they could identify a sound bite I had made. It was of Aja speaking her spell, and only a sentence's worth. Eventually, I was directed to other experts, and finally identified it.
While not definite, indications were that it originated in the land of Punt, an ancient kingdom in what is now Somalia. While that kingdom was a trading partner of Egypt, and their language was affected by it, I could find no Egyptian influence in what Aja spoke. This made me think it predated their trade with their northern neighbor. But where exactly? There were indications it could be Yemen, or northeast Ethiopia. A good contender was Opone, on the coast. It was located near Hafun.
I did some research on the area, and learned that they have lost a lot of forest. That reminded me of the sand Aja blessed. I decided to collect it into a number of pouches, and I put them in storage in my secret magic chamber. If I was going there, I couldn't go by air, given the punishment I was under by An. So I looked into sea travel, which made me think of the adage about gals wearing less on boats. The best cruise I could go on that went near Hafun started in England, and went through the Mediterranean, then the Suez Canal, and finally I could get off at Mogadishu. Getting to England, I found a cruise from Florida to England.
I spoke with Filipe, and he agreed to go with me to England. We would take some time to explore it, and he would return by air. He was worried about the possibility I might encounter pirates on the latter cruise, but I reminded him that I handled the drug cartel before, and I had more capability now. With my grand plan made, it was time to plan the details. The first was to inform my agent.
"Hi Dave. I've decided to splurge on a vacation."
"Oh? Do tell."
"Well, first I will take a cruise to England, then later a cruise through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal. Afterwards, I plan to do some personal research in Somalia. I plan to go off the grid there for a while, at least as far as the public is concerned. But I want a fair bit of publicity on the cruises for my adoring public."
"Curious vacation place, Somalia."
"True, but my vacation will be over by then. I'll be dressing like a local there, and will likely be spending a most of my time away from the city, checking out leads for my research. But the second cruise will have many stops to check out assorted cities along the way. I'm sure you can find a magazine that will want to document that. And maybe another that will document the naughtier encounters."
"That is a thought. Do you have the route planned yet?"
"Yes, but I am open to suggestions. Filipe will be on the first cruise, and then check out England, but not the second cruise. I wouldn't mind checking out England, especially if I can visit my friend John Maxwell. I plan to travel with a large collection of stuff, so I can do some cosplay, as well as photo-shoots. I plan to have Nigkala, Kitty, and Obsidian outfits, perhaps more. I also plan to make local outfits for all the stops, so I can look like the locals, past and present."
"Past and present?"
"Oh yes. Imagine me dressing up as an ancient Grecian lady while visiting Greek cities? Or dressing as an ancient Egyptian royal visiting Egypt? I could also dress in period Spanish while visiting Spain?"
"Oh my! Knowing you, you will go all out. Right?" I just laughed. "Right. Well, let me see what I can do. How much lead time do you need?"
"I think two months will be enough for me to make what I need."
"Okay, I'll get right on it."
"Thanks. I'll send you postcards."
With the call over, I proceeded to plan my outfits, and to send the lot back once I got to Hafun. I also sent word to John, but I also told him what I would be researching, in case he had anything that might help. The advantage of skimpy clothes on the cruise was they took up little space. I decided to make a few risqué additions that were even less concealing, like a bikini that faded to invisibility at the nipple. I also sent a request to the museum for some good pictures of period costumes, including jewelry, for my route.
A month later, I spoke with Playboy about the cruises. They wanted to send a cameraman on both, to follow me around. They also wanted to interview me in Florida and England. A week later, a New Zealand fashion magazine wanted to send someone on the second cruise, who would hook up with local photographers to get me in all the many outfits I would have. Finally, Dave hooked me up with a travel site, and we agreed I would keep a diary to tell of my experiences that they would turn into a story.
We took a private eighteen wheeler to Florida, and we took a week to get there. The older couple driving slept in the fancy cab, while Filipe and I enjoyed the back. We had windows in the side, closed circuit TV to the front and back, air conditioning, an intercom to the cab, and a fancy sound system and lounge area. We even had satellite TV and internet. Meals were at truck stops, and we found a few nice ones along the way. We also had a nice bed all the way up front. It didn't take long for the couple to realize Filipe and I were really enjoying each other in back. We met the Playboy people at a hotel near the port, and I did my interview.
The next day, we boarded the cruise ship. I wore a white, see-through top that shaded, but did not obscure my nipples. The matching miniskirt was opaque, but easily caught any breeze, so I flashed plenty. I used a bit of Inanna's power to go on board without incident. Our cabins were not yet available, so we wandered to one of the buffets on the seaward side. We were among the first to board, so we got a nice table with a good view. While we served ourselves, the staff clearing the empty dishes tended to stare at my breasts in disbelief. One young man took a little too long, so I looked at him and said they were real, and he could feel me up later. Filipe barely contained his laughter at the poor guy's flustered demeanor.
After two hours, and the place filling up, we left to wander. When I saw the sign for a massage room, I whispered a wicked idea to Filipe. He smiled, and we went in. Filipe said, "Do you have a couple's room?"
The attendant answered, "Yes. Would you like a massage?"
"Yes. Can we see a list of choices?" The attendant handed him a sheet. "Oh! Number seven sounds great." He held it up for me, and reading it, I nodded. "Here is our room key card."
She took it, and swiped it. Returning it, she introduced us to a young man and a young lady wearing ship's uniforms. "This is Tony, and Sonya. They will take care of you. Tony, Sonya, take them to room three, for a number seven."
They nodded, and Tony said, "This way, folks." They led us, and held the door open for us to enter first. When he started describing how everything was going to work, I just casually stripped. "Here are some towels to wrap around yourself. We will leave you alone..." Tony realized I was already undressing. "Uh, we will leave for a few minutes, so you can get ready..." by now my top was off, and I was taking the skirt off. At this point, Filipe pulled down his shorts, and with them, his underwear. He timed it to when Sonya was looking at him. She gave a slight gasp, as his ten-incher sprang up, already erect. "Uh..., when you're ready, knock on the door, and we will return...." He fell silent as I stood before him nude.
I'm sure he's seen nude women here before, but I was clearly aroused, with my nipples sticking out two inches, and my vagina already wet. He sputtered a bit, giving Filipe enough time to get naked. Finally, he managed to say, "Uh, we'll leave now." He looked over at Sonya, and it was clear where she was staring. "Psst," he whispered, "Sonya, we gotta go."
I said, "Tony, you don't need to leave. We don't mind." I walked over to him and grabbed a hand, "Come here, and start on my back." With that cue, I heard Filipe ask Sonya to start on his back also. I lay face down, and spread my legs a bit to give him a good view. "Okay, Tony, get out the oil, or whatever, and start your magic. I want your hands all over me now."
"Uh, we have several scents..."